A new shop featuring work from almost 70 local makers and artists opens its doors to shoppers this weekend.
Keep It Local has been running pop-up events around North Staffordshire since being set up towards the end of last year.
Owner Andy Nixon, whose aim is to celebrate local creative people and their skills, has now taken on the organisation’s first permanent shop at Longton Exchange Shopping Centre, in Stoke-on-Trent.
The flagship store will open on Saturday, 9 September and will showcase goods including ceramics, candles, handmade jewellery, pocket money toys, greetings cards and Christmas decorations – with something for every budget.
The opening event will feature treats and live music, starting from 10am with a free goodie bag worth over £40 for the first five customers to spend £10 in store. Anyone who makes a purchase on the day will be entered into a prize draw to win a £75 voucher.
Featured businesses include Born Stokie, FantasyWire, Ivy & Ginger, Burslem Pottery and Rock That Scent.
Andy, who has previously spent 23 years in the hospitality industry, said: “We hadn’t planned on having a permanent store, but after visiting Longton I found it hard to say no.
“The shop will showcase the amazing work of 68 local makers, creators and artists with something for everyone and every budget.
“We hope it will inspire people to choose to spend their money in the local economy and support local creative businesses.
“By shopping local, you support local people and local families rather than paying into big companies with shareholders who continue getting richer.”
An upstairs part of the previously empty unit in the centre’s Arts and Cultural Quarter features an art gallery, which will be open on Fridays and Saturdays, and there are plans to introduce workshops for children and families early next year.
Centre Manager Chris Ward, who Daily Focus recently reported is shortlisted for a national award, said: “We are truly excited to welcome Keep it Local to not only our Cultural Quarter but to Longton Exchange.
“Keep it Local’s idea of supporting and promoting local business aligns with our desire to reinvent this area for the community.
“I look forward to Keep it Local opening and working collaboratively with them and the other offerings in the Cultural Quarter.”
The shop, which will be managed by Andy’s son Harry Nixon, is the latest in a series of new businesses to open at the centre in recent months.
Last month, Sarah Taylor launched her first physical store Sew Very Dog selling dog accessories after winning the space in a competition. Read more about Sarah’s venture in Daily Focus here.
- Keep It Local plans to continue doing pop-up events and will be at Affinity Staffordshire between 7 and 27 October, then at The Potteries Centre between 14 November and 24 December.
